Machine for coiling filamentary material

ABSTRACT

A coiling machine for forming a coiled filament for a slide fastener and for use directly with weaving apparatus including a rotatable shaft carrying a spool of continuous filamentary material at one end and having a mandrel rotatably supported in its other end, a device for tensioning the filamentary material prior to its application to the mandrel, and a roller cooperating with a curing wheel to capture the mandrel and hold it in a stationary position such that rotation of the shaft coils the filamentary material around the mandrel and the coiled filamentary material is drawn onto the curing wheel. A pair of the coiling machines are mounted on the same frame as the weaving apparatus and a pair of coiled filaments are formed simultaneously and supplied from the curing wheel to the weaving apparatus where they are directly weaved into a slide fastener tape.

United States Patent Moertel 1 Sept.'5, 1972 [54] MACHINE FOR COILING FILAMENTARY MATERIAL [73] Assignee: Textron Inc.,

[22] Filed: Feb. 12, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 10,835

[52] US. Cl. ..139/11, 18/19 C, 139/124 A [51] Int. Cl. ..D03d 35/00 [58] Field of Search.-...l8/l9 C, DIG. 7; 139/1 1, 116,

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,878,514 3/1959 Nichols et al ..57/34 3,123,103 3/1964 Hendley ..139/11 3,196,489 7/ 1965 Chery ..18/ 19 Primary Examiner-Henry S. Jaudon Attorney-Meech & Field [57] ABSTRACT A coiling machine for forming a coiled filament for a slide fastener and for use directly with weaving apparatus including a rotatable shaft carrying a spool of continuous filamentary material at one end and having a mandrel rotatably supported in its other end, a device for tensioning the filamentary material prior to its application to the mandrel, and a roller cooperating with a curing wheel to capture the mandrel and hold it in a stationary position such that rotation of the shaft coils the filamentary material around the mandrel and the coiled filamentary material is drawn onto the curing wheel. A pair of the coiling machines are mounted on the same frame as the weaving apparatus and a pair of coiled filaments are formed simultaneously and supplied from the curing wheel to the weaving apparatus where they are directly weaved into a slide fastener tape.

23 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures P'ATE'N'TEDsEP 5 m2 Y I 3.688.805 SHE 1 0f 8 I INVENTOR, George B. Mo'ertel ATTORNEYS PATENTEDSEP 5 an SHEEI 2 [If 8 FIG. 3

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS P'A'TENTEDsEP 5 m2 FIG. 5 r! .11.?

SHEU '4 BF 8' INVENTOR, George B. Moer'telj ATTORNEYS PATENIEBSE m v 3.688.805 SHEU 5 BF 8 ATTORNEYS.

PAI'ENTEDsEP 5:912 8 3.688.808

sumzora FIG. II

COILED FILAMENT 1 ll I98 I 30 v INVENTOR,

. George B. Moertel Maw- ATTORNEYS PATENTEflszr 5 m2 sum 8 or 8 v INVENTOR, George B. Moertel I .BY Y

ATTORNEYS MACHINE FOR COILING FILAMENTARY MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention pertains to coiling machines for forming continuous coiled filaments for slide fastener stringers and, more particularly, to such machines which may directly feed the coiled filaments to a loom for weaving into the edge of a tape.

Description of the Prior Art The use of plastic filamentary material material as slide fastener stringers is extremely popular, inexpensive and advantageous; however, one problem yet to be obviated is that of forming the stringers efficiently. Specifically, coiled filaments utilized as stringers in the past have been formed on machines which are unduly intricate, bulky and expensive; and, aside from the disadvantages of high initial cost and high repair costs, such machines have a further disadvantage in that they cannot be operated directly with looms for weaving tapes for the slide fasteners onto the coiled filaments. Accordingly, the memory of the filamentary material has an opportunity to recover slightly before attachment of the coiled filaments with a tape, and the final slide fastener product suffers from the slight recovery by the two mating coiled filaments being unevenly matched to cause difficult closure and a tendency for the slide fastener to pull apart at uneven portions.

Conventional coiling machines utilize a needle-like mandrel which remains stationary while a shaft carrying the filamentary material to be coiled rotates therearound to coil the filamentary material around the mandrel. Complex gearing systems or staking apparatus is normally utilized to maintain the mandrel stationary while the shaft rotates, and such apparatus increases the initial cost of the machines, the number of components which may malfunction, the maintenance cost for the machines and the size and weight of the machines. Tensioning apparatus is provided throughout the path of travel of the filamentary material through the machine in order to maintain the filamentary material at a constant high axial tension prior to coiling. Such tensioning apparatus increases initial and maintenance costs of the machines and also increases power requirements for driving the machine due to friction.

Once a coiled filament is formed by the machines, it is removed therefrom, cured by heat and stored in baskets for delivery to a loom and weaving with a tape. As previously mentioned, the interim between curing and weaving has the disadvantage of permitting memory recovery and adversely affecting the finished slide fastener. Attempts to combine conventional coiling machines with slide fastener tape weaving looms have not met with success due to the large size and weight of the machines and the different power requirements for the looms and the machines. That is, the bulk an support means of conventional coiling machines, which are necessary to hold the mandrel stationary, require the coiling machines to be located at different physical locations from the loom, and a coiled filament cannot be directly forwarded over a great distance to a loom because tension or compression will deform the coiled filament and render it inoperative for use with a slide fastener. Furthermore, for proper cooperation between the looms and the coiling machines their operations must be synchronized, and this is best and most easily accomplished by utilizing the same motive power source. The frequency of repair of conventional coiling machines prevents efficient loom operation since the breakdown of one coiling machine renders inoperative the loom and any other coiling machines operating therewith until the broken machine is fixed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to construct an inexpensive, small and dependable coiling machine having a reduced number of components and being adaptable for cooperation with weaving apparatus to supply coiled filaments directly to the loom for weaving into a slide fastener tape.

The present invention is summarized in a coiling machine including a rotatable shaft having a supply end and a hollow coiling end, a supply of continuous filamentary material provided at the supply end of the shaft, a mandrel having a shank portion disposed within the hollow end of the shaft and a needle portion extending from the shank portion, a guide in the shaft for supplying the filamentary material from the supply end to the mandrel at the coiling end, and holding means capturing the needle portion of the mandrel to maintain the mandrel stationary while the shaft rotates such that the filamentary material is coiled around the needle portion.

Another object of the present invention is to render a mandrel in a coiling machine stationary by capturing the needle portion thereof.

A further object of the present invention is to supply tension to the filamentary material to be coiled on a mandrel immediately prior to the supply of the filamentary material to the mandrel.

The present invention has another object in that a coiling machine is mounted on the same frame as weaving apparatus and supplies coiled filaments directlythereto.

Another object of the present invention is to construct a coiling machine with a minimal number of rotating components.

A further object of the present invention is to construct a coiling machine which is easily mounted for cooperation with a curing wheel and is easily interchanged with another similar coiling machine for repairs.

The present invention has another object in that a coiling machine is constructed with a movable mandrel that is rendered stationary only after the mounting of the coiling machine such that a needle portion of the mandrel is captured.

Another object of the present invention is to produce a slide fastener by supplying continuous filamentary material, warp threads and filler threads to combination coiling and weaving apparatus.

A further object of the present invention is to utilize a plurality of coiling machines with a curing wheel and weaving apparatus to simultaneously provide both halves of a slide fastener.

Some of the advantages of the coiling machine of the present invention over the prior art are that initial costs and repair costs are reduced due to the minimal number of rotating components, the coiling machines are interchangeably operative due to their small size and weight, the coiling machines may be utilized directly with weaving apparatus for forming a slide fastener tape, and coiled filaments formed by the coiling machine are improved due to their incorporation into a slide fastener tape immediately after removal from curing apparatus.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an enlarged isometric view of a coiled filament to be formed with the coiling machine of the present invention. 7

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the formation of a slide fastener in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of coiling and weaving apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a portion of the coiling machine of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a tension device and a mandrel support assembly for the coiling machine of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view of the tension device taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a section of the tension device taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the mandrel support assembly of FIG. 5.

FIGS. 9a, 9b and 9c are sectional views of the mandrel support assembly during adjustment.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the mandrel support assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation of the curing wheel in association with the mandrel support assemblies.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, broken view illustrating the delivery of the coiled filament to the curing wheel.

-FIG. 13 is an enlarged, broken view of the curing wheel of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a section taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A continuous coiled filament to be formed by the coiling machine of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The coiled filament 20 is generally helical, and each convolution has a deformity 22 on the outwardly facing portion thereof. The deformities are longitudinally aligned, and when two coiled filaments are utilized to form a slide fastener, the coiled filaments may be intermeshed with the use of a slider such that they are held together by the increased width of the deformities.

A schematic diagram of apparatus for forming the coiled filament of FIG. 1 and weaving the coiled filament into a slide fastener tape is illustrated in FIG. 2. A filamentary material, preferably a thermoplastic material such as nylon, is supplied on spools 24 and 24' which rotate counterclockwise and clockwise, respectively, while filamentary materials 26 and 26' are paid off as the spools spin about their central axes. The filamentary materials 26 and 26' are supplied through tension devices 28 and 28' to mandrel support assemblies 30 and 30, respectively. Tension devices 28 and 28' and mandrel support assemblies 30 and 30 rotate counterclockwise and clockwise about stationary mandrels 32 and 32', respectively, to form two coiled filaments 20 and 20' by coiling the filamentary materials around the mandrels. The coiled filaments 20 and 20 are drawn off mandrels 32 and 32' onto laterally spaced grooves in a curing wheel 34 where the coiled filaments are heated or cured to maintain their newly coiled form. Curing wheel 34 rotates clockwise, and coiled filaments 20 and 20 are carried approximately three-quarters of the way therearound before being stripped from curing wheel 34 and supplied to a loom.

The loom includes weaving assemblies 36 and 36 which operate upon a plurality of warp threads 38 and 38 to weave a slide fastener tape with filler thread 40 and 40, respectively. Coiled filaments 20 and 20' are weaved into the slide fastener tape as warp threads such that they face each other on the inner edges of the slide fastener tape. As the woven slide fastener tape leaves the loom, coiled filaments 20 and 20 are intermeshed by the use of a slider.

The relative size of the coiling machine of the present invention in comparison with a loom for weaving slide fastener tapes is illustrated in FIG. 3 wherein it may be seen that two coiling machines are mounted beneath a frame 41 on the top of which is supported weaving assemblies 36 and 36'. Coiled filaments 20 and 20 are delivered from curing wheel 34 to weaving assemblies 36 and 36' through guiding conduits 42 and 42, respectively. Weaving assemblies 36 and 36' include laterally actuated filler needles 44 and 44' which operate in conjunction with selvage needles 46 and 46' to weave coiled filaments 20 and 20 into a slide fastener tape having outer selvage edges. The loom apparatus to be utilized with the present invention is conventional, and reference is made to US. Pat. No. 3,123,103 to I-Iendley for more detailed information wit respect to an example of a slide fastener tape weaving loom which may be modified for use with the present invention.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, it is desirable to utilize two coiling machines to form coiled filaments for both sides of a slide fastener simultaneously. The two coiling machines are identical in structure; and, accordingly, identical parts are identified by the same reference numerals with primes and are described with respect to only one of the coiling machines.

Support apparatus for spools 24 and 24 and the driving mechanism for the present invention are illustrated in FIG. 4. Spool 24 is superposed above spool 24' on a frame 50 with the spools being disposed out of phase with each other in order to conserve space. Spool 24 is rotatably supported on a spindle 51 extending between the arms of a yoke 52 which is secured to the supply end of a shaft 54 with the aid of a set screw 55. Shaft 54 is joumaled through flange bearings 56 and 58 carried by frame 50. A pair of parallel alignment rods 60 and 62 are mounted between the arms of yoke 52, and an offset spring member 64 is mounted on the base of yoke 52 and carries a leather braking pad 66 which is disposed to contact one of the end flanges of spool 24 to provide a slight braking effect therefor. Filamentary material 26 is paid off spool 24 around alignment rods 60 and 62 and enters a longitudinal guide slot 68 in the outer periphery of shaft 54.

Motive power for the present invention is supplied from a main drive motor, not shown, which drives the weaving apparatus as well as a chain 70. Chain 70 drives a shaft 72 which is supported at its outer end by a pillow box 74 and carries a pulley 76 thereon. A belt 78 is driven by pulley 76 and extends under a pulley 80 secured to shaft 54, over an idler 82, over a pulley 84 secured to shaft 54' and back to pulley 76 such that shafts 54 and 54' are rotated in opposite directions.

A curing wheel shaft 86 is driven by a chain 88 in response to the output from a reducer 90 which is driven by chain 70 such that curing wheel 34 rotates more slowly than shafts 54 and 54'. A conventional slip ring assembly 92 is supported on frame 50 by a member 94 and is operable to supply electricity to heating apparatus on curing wheel 34. Shaft 86 is journaled in flange bearings 96 and 98 carried by frame 50.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, shaft 54 carries tension device 28 in alignment with slot 68 to receive filamentary material 26. Shaft 54 is cut out to receive a rectangular frame 100 which is secured to shaft 54 by a plurality of bolts 102 such that tension device 28 rotates with the shaft. Tension device 28 includes a pair of longitudinally aligned wheels 104 and 106 rotatably mounted on frame 100 by means of bolts 108 and 109 in suitable bearings. A pair of laterally aligned wheels 1 and 112 are rotatably mounted in bearings 114 and 116 by means of bolts 118 and 120, respectively, which are secured to blocks 122 and 124 slidably disposed on frame 100. Helical bias springs 126, and 128 are mounted in compression between recesses in blocks 122 and 124 and adjusting screws 130 and 132, respectively, which adjusting screws are threadedly engaged in the sides of frame 100.

Wheels 104, 106, 110 and 112 are each cup-shaped to receive bearing supports, and the top surfaces of the wheels are aligned in a common plane. A spring 134 having an H-configuration is cup-shaped such that its open end engages a generally rectangular plate 136 which carries a plurality of leather braking pads 138 on the underside thereof. A pair of the braking pads 138 abut the top surface of each of the wheels 104, 106, 1 10 and 112, and the pressure of the braking pads 138 on the wheels is controlled by a centrally disposed bolt 140 which threadedly engages frame 100 and extends through apertures in the center of spring 134 and plate 136.

Slot 68 in shaft 54 is aligned with the peripheral edges of wheels 104 and 106 such that filamentary material 26 enters tension device 28 at wheel 104 and is carried around wheel 104 to wheel 112. From wheel 112, filamentary material 26 is delivered to wheel 106 for exit from the tension device and into slot 68 in shaft 54. Thus, looking at FIG. 6, it may be seen that wheel 104 rotates counterclockwise, wheel 110 rotates clockwise, wheel 106 rotates counterclockwise and wheel 1 12 rotates clockwise.

In order to initially insert filamentary material 26 in tension device 28, wheels 110 and 112 are moved away from wheels 104 and 106. The filamentary material is then properly disposed between the wheels, and wheels and 112 are moved back towards the center of the tension device to grasp the filamentary material between the outer peripheries thereof and the outer peripheries of wheels 104 and 106.

The coiling end of shaft 54 is hollow and houses mandrel support assembly 30 which includes a cylindrical mandrel holder 142 having a central bore 144 therethrough, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Mandrel holder 142 is mounted in bearings 146 and 148 so as to be movable relative to shaft 54. A conical head 150 is secured to the coiling end of shaft 54 by means of three bolts 152, as illustrated in FIG. 10; and head 150 has a central bore 154 therein for receiving mandrel holder 142 which has a semispherical end 156 that is positioned near the outer end of head 150. Three slots 158 are arranged apart in head such that one of the slots 158 always coincides with slot 68 in shaft 54 when the head is secured to the shaft. Three smaller slots 160 are arranged 120 apart in alignment with slots 158 to permit filamentary material 26 to pass through one of slots. 158 and smaller slots 160 to mandrel 32.

Mandrel holder 142 is cut away at 162, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Two rectangular, elongated polyurethane pads 164 and 166 are disposed on the flat coplanar surfaces of cut away portion 162, and a clamping member 168, which has an arcuate top surface with a notch 170 out therefrom, has a flat bottom portion abutting the tops of pads 164 and 166. A cylindrical sleeve 172 abuts bearings 146 and 148 and encircles mandrel holder 142 and has a threaded aperture therein for receiving a set screw 174 which has an end adapted to abut notch 170 of clamping member 168.

Pads 164 and 166 are identical and have a width A which is less than the width B defined by the distance between the outer periphery of mandrel holder 142 and the central bore 144 therethrough. Pads 164 and 166 are disposed off center so as to be closer to sleeve 172 than mandrel 34 such that the pads may be deformed to engage sleeve 172 and mandrel 32 in a manner to be described hereinafter.

Mandrel 32 has an elongated cylindrical shank 176 which is inserted in central bore 144 of mandrel holder 142. Shank 176 terminates in a diamond 178 which has four planar sides tapering from the outer surface of shank 176 to a coaxial needle portion 180 having a rectangular cross section. Portion 180 bends smoothly at a right angle into a needle portion 182 which has a gradually reducing rectangular cross section that is cut at 183 to decrease its width as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

Curing wheel 34 has a pair of laterally spaced circumferential grooves 184 and 184' which cooperate with needle portions 182 and 182', respectively; and the curing wheel 34 is identical about a centrally disposed annular wall 186. Curing wheel 34 is mounted on shaft 86 and carries an L-shaped bracket 188 supporting a thermostatic control device 190 which receives electrical power via slip ring assembly 92, as illustrated in FIG. 11. A temperature sensor 192 is mounted adjacent heating elements 194 which are positioned near the circumferential grooves 184 and 184'.

Mandrel support assembly 30 is disposed at the top of curing wheel 34 such that coiled filament 20 is drawn off of the needle portion 182 of mandrel 32 and onto the curing wheel. In a similar fashion mandrel support assembly 30' is disposed at the bottom of curing wheel 34 diametrically opposite mandrel support assembly 30' such that coiled filament 20' is drawn off the needle portion 182 of mandrel 32' onto the curing wheel.

A roller 196 is positioned with its peripheral edge adjacent needle portion 182 of mandrel 32 and is pivotally mounted on a support by means of a member 198 which is under the force of a spring 200 mounted in compression. A stationary metal insulating band 202 extends from the peripheral edge of roller 196 threequarters of the way around curing wheel 34 to an anchor 204. Adjacent anchor 204 is a pointed stripper 206 which removes coiled filament 20 from the curing wheel and delivers it to conduit 42 for supply to the loom after being subjected to air blown through a conduit 210 to complete the curing process prior to delivery to the loom.

In a similar manner a roller 196' is mounted in compression by means of a pivotal member 198 and a spring 200 adjacent the needle portion 182' of mandrel 32'; and a stationary metal insulating band 202 is spaced adjacent roller 196' and extends three-quarters of the way therearound to an anchor 204'. Adjacent anchor 204 is a stripper 206 which removes coiled filament 20' from the curing wheel and delivers it through conduit 42' to the loom after being subjected to air through a conduit 210.

The peripheral edge of curing wheel 34 is illustrated in detail in FIG. 13. Groove 184 has a plurality of equally spacedU-shaped teeth 212 therein. Teeth 212 are arranged in inverted fashion such that radially extending legs abut the side walls of groove 184, and the side walls of groove 184 terminate in a narrow shoulder 214 and a wide shoulder 216, respectively, with narrow shoulder 214 abutting wall 186 and wide shoulder 216 abutting an outer annular wall 218. The width of insulating band 202 is such that it abuts walls 186 and 218 and slidably rests on shoulders 214 and 216.

Needle portion 182 of mandrel 32 extends into groove 184 as shown in FIGS. 13 and14 and tapers at end 185 such that convolutions of coiled filament 20 slip off the mandrel as they are pulled by teeth 212 with rotation of curing wheel 34. The speed of rotation of curing wheel 34 and shafts 54 and 54 are correlated such that convolutions are pulled off mandrel 32 at the same rate that they are formed thereby. Thus, the RPM of curing wheel 34 will be equal to the RPM of shaft 54 divided by the number of teeth 212 in groove 184.

The operation of the apparatus of the present invention is such that by supplying warp thread, filler thread and continuous filamentary material to the apparatus, a slide fastener is automatically produced that requires the introduction of a slider and end components for completion.

' More specifically, the two spools 24 and 24 of continuous filamentary material are mounted on yokes 52 and 52, and each of the filamentary materials is threaded around the alignment rods and through slots 68 and 68 in shafts 54 and 54 to tension devices 28 and 28', respectively. As previously mentioned, filamentary material 26 is positioned in tension device 20 after moving lateral wheels 1 l and 112 away from longitudinal wheels 104 and 106 such that the filamentary material is gripped between the peripheral edges of the wheels. From wheel 106 tension device 28, filamentary material 26 is supplied through slot 68 of shaft 54 and slots 158 and 160 in head 150 to mandrel 32. Filamentary material 26 is similarly positioned in tension device 28' and supplied to mandrel 32.

When motive power is supplied to chain 70, shafts 54 and 54 are rotated in opposite directions, and rotational movement of shafts 54 and 54 cause the filamentary material to be coiled on mandrels 32 and 32' which remain stationary with respect to the shafts since the needle portions 182 and 182 thereof are captured between rollers 196 and 196' and curing wheel 34, respectively. Spring member 64 and braking pad 66 retard rotation of spool 24 within yoke 52 and spool 24 is similarly retarded such that filamentary materials 26 and 26' are under a tension of approximately 4 ounces as they leave spools 24 and 24' and the spools will quickly stop rotating when motive power to shafts 54 and 54 ceases. The mouths of slots 68 and 68 are smoothly rounded to receive the filamentary material from the alignment rods without snagging or offering added tension, and alignment rods 60 and 62, and 60 and 62 serve to centrally align the filamentary material with the mouths of slots 68 and 68', respectively.

Tension devices 28 and 28 increase the tension on the filamentary material to approximately 64 ounces by braking the rotation of wheels 104, 106, 108 and 110 in accordance with the adjustment of bolt 140 which controls the force on plate 136 from spring 134. The tension devices are located in close proximity to the mandrels such that the 64 ounce tension, which isrequired to properly coil the filamentary material on the mandrels, need not be maintained for a great distance.

The filamentary material 26 is delivered to mandrel 32 via slots 68, 158 and 160 and is drawn over the curved surface of end 156 of mandrel holder 142 and around diamond 178 onto portion 180 of mandrel 32. The positioning of end 156 and diamond 178 is critical to proper coiling operation in that as convolutions of the coiled filament are formed they must move along mandrel 32 to the end 185 thereof without causing a build-up of convolutions.

In order to properly position and 156 and diamond 178, set screw 174 is loosened such that mandrel holder 142 is slidable within sleeve 172 since pads 164 and 166 will not be in contact with the inner surface of the sleeve, as illustrated in FIG. 9a. Mandrel holder 142 is moved within the hollow end of shaft 54 until the curved surface of end 156 is aligned with the top of head and, once mandrel holder 142 is thus aligned, set screw 174 is tightened to deform pads 164 and 166 until the outer ends thereof contact sleeve 172, as illustrated in FIG. 9b, to prevent relative movement between mandrel holder 142 and sleeve 172. Shank 176 of mandrel 32 is now moved within bore 144 of mandrel holder 142 until diamond 178 is properly aligned with the curved surface of end 156, and set screw 174 is tightened to further deform pads 164 and 166 until the inner ends thereof contact the outer surface of shank 176, as illustrated in FIG. 9c, to prevent movement of mandrel 32 relative to mandrel holder 142.

The relative positions of mandrel 32, mandrel holder 142 and the top of head 150 are thus adjusted for proper coiling operation, and mandrel support assembly 30' is adjusted in a similar manner to assure proper coiling operation at mandrel 32. It will be appreciated that by initially disposing pads 164 and 166 off center so as to be closer to mandrel 32 than sleeve 172, the relative positions of the curved surface of end 156 of mandrel holder 142 and diamond 178 of mandrel 32 may be established prior to positioning end 156 at the top of head 150.

As shafts 54 and 54' rotate the filamentary material is coiled around mandrels 32 and 32', and as coiling continues the convolutions are moved along needle portions 182 and 182' to be supplied to curing wheel 34. As best illustrated in FIG. 12, needle portion 182 extends into groove 184 and under roller 196 which acts to hold mandrel 32 stationary. As curing wheel 34 turns, teeth 212 engage the convolutions of coiled filament to pull the coiled filament into groove 184. Roller 196 and anchor 204 are stationary as is insulating band 202 such that as curing wheel 34 rotates metal band 202 slides on shoulders 214 and 216 relative to the curing wheel.

Coiled filaments 20 and 20 are cured to retain their convoluted shape by heat from heating elements 194 as the curing wheel turns. The heat applied to the coiled filaments is sensed by sensor 192 and controlled by thermostatic device 190. After traveling approximately three-quarters of the way around, coiled filaments 20 and 20' are stripped from the curing wheel by strippers 206 and 206, are subjected to an air blast through conduits 210 and 210 and are supplied to weaving apparatus 36 and 36, respectively.

Coiled filaments 20 and 20' are woven into a slide fastener tape as warp threads in the loom, and the slide fastener is closed by a slider. By weaving the coiled filaments directly into the slide fastener tape after their formation, the memory of the plastic material is further destroyed to provide a strong slide fastener. Furthermore, the newly formed coiled filaments are easy to work with and facilitate the weaving operation.

It may be seen that mandrels 32 and 32 are held stationary without the use of sophisticated gearing systems and without staking the mandrel or a member therewith thereby material reducing the number of components in the coiling machine of the present invention. That is, roller 196 and curing wheel 34 are utilized to capture mandrel 32 such that movement of needle portion 182 is prevented in either direction; and, consequently, the size and support structure for the coiling machine is reduced to a minimum. Furthermore, the coiling machines are easily interchangeable due to their reduced size and support structure and the the rotation of the tension device with shaft 54 and due to the use of a stationary metal band for insulating the curing wheel rather than the moving belt-like band utilized with conventional curing wheels.

Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to many variations, modifications and changes in detail, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A coiling machine comprising rotatable shaft means having a supply end and a ho]- low coiling end;

supply means for supplying a continuous filamentary material to said supply end of said rotatable shaft means;

mandrel means having a shank portion disposed within said hollow coiling end of said shaft means and a needle portion extending from said shank portion;

said shaft means including guide means for supplying the filamentary material from said supply end to said mandrel means at said coiling end; and holding means capturing said needle portion of said mandrel means to maintain said mandrel means stationary while said shaft means rotates such that the filamentary material is coiled around said needle portion; said holding means including a rotatable curing wheel having a circumferential groove therearound and a roller having an outer surface positioned adjacent said circumferential groove, said needle portion of said mandrel means being positioned adjacent said outer surface of said roller and inserted in said circumferential groove to prevent rotation of said mandrel.

2. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said circumferential groove in said curing wheel has first and second parallel sides terminating in first and second annular shoulders, and a stationary insulating band slidably engages said first and second shoulders.

3. The invention as recited in claim 2 wherein the axis of said shaft means is in parallel relation with the axis of said curing wheel and said needle portion of said mandrel means is bent to be tangentially inserted in said circumferential groove in said curing wheel.

4. A coiling machine comprising rotatable shaft means having a supply end and a hollow coiling end;

supply means for supplying a continuous filamentary material to said supply end of said rotatable shaft means;

mandrel means having a shank portion disposed within said hollow coiling end of said shaft means and a needle portion extending from said shank portion;

said shaft means including guide means for supplying the filamentary material from said supply end to said mandrel means at said coiling end;

holding means capturing said needle portion of said mandrel means to maintain said mandrel means stationary while said shaft means rotates such that the filamentary material is coiled around said needle portion;

edges of said first and second wheels such that the filamentary material enters said tension means between said first and fourth wheels, loops around said third wheel and exits from said tension device between said second and fourth wheels.

5. The invention as recited in claim 4 wherein said first, second, third and fourth wheels have top surfaces, and said tension device further includes braking means contacting said top surfaces of said first, second and third wheels.

6. The invention as recited in claim 5 wherein said braking means includes a plurality of braking pads carried by a plate, and a cup-shaped spring adjustably applying a force to said plate to control the braking of said first, second, third and fourth wheels.

7. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said circumferential groove has a plurality of spaced teeth therein adapted to pull the coiled filamentary material from said needle portion of said mandrel means.

8. The invention as recited in claim 7 wherein said teeth have first and second legs extending radially along said first and second sides of said circumferential groove to define spaces between said first and second legs, and said needle portion of said means is inserted in said spaces.

9. A coiling machine comprising rotatable shaft means having a supply end and a hollow coiling end;

supply means for supplying a continuous filamentary material to said supply end of said rotatable shaft means;

mandrel means having a shank portion disposed within said hollow coiling end of said shaft means and a needle portion extending from said shank portion;

said shaft means including guide means for supplying the filamentary material from said supply end to said mandrel means at said coiling end;

holding means capturing said needle portion of said mandrel means to maintain said mandrel means stationary while shaft means rotates such that the filamentary material is coiled around said needle portion; and

support means disposed in said hollow coiling end of said shaft means to rotatably support said mandrel means whereby said mandrel means is movable within said shaft means when said needle portion is not captured by said holding means;

said support means including a mandrel holder having a central bore therethrough receiving said shank portion of said mandrel means, a portion of said mandrel holder being cut away to expose said shank portion in said central bore, and clamping means disposed in said cut away portion of said mandrel holder for adjustably clamping said shank portion of said mandrel means to said mandrel holder.

10. The invention as recited in claim 9 wherein said mandrel means includes a diamond interconnecting said shank portion and said needle portion, and said mandrel holder has an end with a curved surface thereon which is aligned with said diamond by adjusting said clamping means.

11. The invention as recited in claim 10 wherein said coiling end of said shaft means has a conical head secured thereto, said head having a slot aligned with said guide means and a second central bore therethrough receiving said mandrel holder, said clamping means includes deformable pad means disposed on the exposed surface of said cut away portion of said mandrel holder and a clamping member disposed on said pad means, and said support means includes a cylindrical sleeve surrounding said clamping member and said mandrel holder and means forcing said clamping member against said pad means and away from said sleeve to deform said pad means to engage said sleeve and said shank portion of said mandrel means.

12. The invention as recited in claim 11 wherein said pad means includes a pair of elongated polyurethane pads disposed closer to said sleeve than to said shank portion of said mandrel means whereby said pads will engage said sleeve prior to engaging said shank portion of said mandrel means.

13. The invention as recited in claim 12 wherein said holding means includes a rotatable curing wheel having a circumferential groove therearound and a roller having an outer surface positioned adjacent said circumferential groove, said needle portion of said mandrel means being positioned adjacent said outer surface of said roller and inserted in said circumferential groove to prevent rotation of said mandrel, said guide means includes tension means having first and second wheels longitudinally disposed on said shaft means and third and fourth wheels laterally disposed on said shaft means having edges adjacent the edges of said first and second wheels, and said guide means further includes a longitudinal slot in said shaft means, said longitudinal slot being aligned with the edges of said first and second wheels such that the filamentary material enters said tension means between said first and fourth wheels, loops around said third wheel and exits from said tension means between said second and fourth wheels.

14. The invention as recited in claim 13 wherein said circumferential groove has a plurality of peripherally spaced teeth therein, said teeth having legs extending radially along the sides of said circumferential groove to define lateral spaces therebetween, and said needle portion of said mandrel means is inserted in said spaces.

15. Apparatus for simultaneously forming a pair of coiled filaments for use in a slide fastener comprising first rotatable shaft means receiving a first continuous filamentary material at a first supply end and having first guide means delivering the first filamentary material to a first hollow coiling end;

a first mandrel having a first shank portion disposed in said first coiling end of said first shaft means and a first needle portion extending from said first shank portion and receiving the first filamentary material; v second rotatable shaft means receiving a second continuous filamentary material at a second supply end and having second guide means delivering the second filamentary material to a second hollow coiling end; second mandrel having a second shank portion disposed in said second coiling end of said second shaft means and a second needle portion extending from said second shank portion and receiving the second filamentary material; rotatable curing wheel having first and second laterally spaced circumferential grooves, said first needle portion of said first mandrel being inserted in said first circumferential groove and said second needle portion of said second mandrel being inserted in said second circumferential groove;

first holding means disposed adjacent said first needle portion of said first mandrel and said first circumferential groove to capture said first needle portion and maintain said first mandrel stationary such that the first filamentary material is coiled around said first needle portion as said first shaft means rotates; and

second holding means disposed adjacent said second needle portion of said second mandrel and said second circumferential groove to capture said second needle portion and maintain said second mandrel stationary such that the second filamentary material is coiled around said second needle portion as said second shaft means rotates.

16. The invention as recited in claim 15 wherein said first and second circumferential grooves have a plurality of teeth disposed therein to remove the first and second coiled filamentary materials from said first and second needle portions, said first circumferential groove has first and second side walls terminating in first and second annular shoulders, said second circumferential groove has third and fourth side walls terminating in third and fourth annular shoulders, a first stationary insulating band is slidably disposed on said first and second annular shoulders, and a second stationary insulating band is slidably disposed on said third and fourth annular shoulders.

17. The invention as recited in claim 16 wherein said first stationary insulating band is secured to a first anchor, said second stationary insulating band is secured to a second anchor, said first holding means includes a first roller spaced adjacent said first stationary insulating band, said second holding means includes a second roller spaced adjacent said second stationary insulating band, said first and second rollers are disposed at diametrically opposite positions with respect to said curing wheel, and said first and second anchors are disposed at diametrically opposite positions with respect to said curing wheel 18. The invention as recited in claim 17 wherein each of said first and second guide means includes a tension device having first and second wheels longitudinally disposed on said shaft means and third and fourth wheels laterally disposed on said shaft means having edges adjacent the edges of said first and second wheels, and each of said first and second guide means further includes a longitudinal slot in said first and second shaft means, respectively, said longitudinal slot being aligned with the edges of said first and second wheels such that the first and second filamentary materials enter said tension devices between said first and fourth wheels, loop around said third wheel and exit from said tension devices between said second and fourth wheels.

19. The invention as recited in claim 18 wherein first support means is disposed in said first hollow coiling end of said first shaft means to rotatably support said first mandrel, said first support means including a first mandrel holder having a first central bore therethrough receiving said first shank portion of said first mandrel, a first portion of said first mandrel holder being cut away to expose said first shank portion in said first central bore, first deformable pad means disposed on the exposed surface of said first cut away portion of said first mandrel holder, a first clamping member disposed on said first pad means, a first cylindrical sleeve surrounding said first clamping member and said first mandrel holder, and first means forcing said first clamping member against said first pad means and away from said first sleeve deform said first pad means to engage said first sleeve and said first shank portion of said first mandrel, and second support means is disposed in said second hollow coiling end of said second shaft means to rotatably support said second mandrel, said second support means including a second mandrel holder having a second central bore therethrough receiving said second shank portion of said second mandrel, a second portion of said second mandrel holder being cut away to expose said second shank portion in said second central bore, second deformable pad means disposed on the exposed surface of said second cut away portion of said second mandrel holder, a second clamping member disposed on said second pad means, a second cylindrical sleeve surrounding said second clamping member and said second mandrel holder, and second means forcing said second clamping member against said second pad means and away from said second sleeve to deform said second pad means to engage said second sleeve and said second shank portion of said second mandrel.

20. The invention as recited in claim 19 wherein first yoke means is secured to said first supply end of said first shaft means and rotatable therewith, a first spool carrying the first filamentary material is rotatably supported by said first yoke means, second yoke means is secured to said second supply end of said second shaft means and rotatable therewith, and a second spool carrying the second filamentary material is rotatably'supported by said second yoke means.

21. Apparatus for forming a slide fastener comprising, in combination,

first rotatable shaft means receiving first continuous filamentary material;

first stationary mandrel means disposed in said first rotatable shaft means and receiving the first filamentary material, said mandrel means including a needle portion;

first holding means capturing said needle portion of said first mandrel means to maintain said mandrel means stationary while said first shaft means rotates such that said first filamentary material is coiled around said needle portion to form a first coiled filament;

second rotatable shaft means receiving second continuous filamentary material;

second stationary mandrel means disposed in said 5 second rotatable shaft means and receiving the second filamentary material, said mandrel mean including a needle portion;

second holding means capturing said needle portion of said second mandrel means to maintain said mandrel means stationary while said second shaft means rotates such that said second filamentary material is coiled around said needle portion to form a second coiled filament;

curing means receiving the first and second coiled filaments form said first and second mandrel means and heating the first and second coiled filaments to destroy the memory of the material;

weaving apparatus for weaving first and second halves of a slide fastener tape with a plurality of warp threads and a filler thread; and

supply means delivering said first and second coiled filaments from said curing means to said weaving apparatus and positioning said first and second coiled filaments for weaving into the first and second halves of the slide fastener tape as warp threads whereby a slide fastener is automatically formed from warp threads, filler threads and continuous filamentary material.

22. The invention as recited in claim 21 wherein said curing means includes a curing wheel having first and second laterally spaced circumferential grooves therein, said first and second mandrel means have first and second needle portions inserted in said first and second circumferential grooves, respectively, and said supply means includes stripping means for removing said first and second coiled filaments from said first and second grooves in said curing wheel.

23. The invention as recited in claim 22 wherein said first mandrel means is rotatably supported in said first shaft means, said second mandrel means is rotatably supported in said second shaft means, first holding means cooperates with said first groove in said curing wheel to capture said first needle portion to maintain said first mandrel means stationary, and second holding means cooperates with said second groove in said curing wheel to capture said second needle portion to maintain said second mandrel means stationary. 

1. A coiling machine comprising rotatable shaft means having a supply end and a hollow coiling end; supply means for supplying a continuous filamentary material to said supply end of said rotatable shaft means; mandrel means having a shank portion disposed within said hollow coiling end of said shaft means and a needle portion extending from said shank poRtion; said shaft means including guide means for supplying the filamentary material from said supply end to said mandrel means at said coiling end; and holding means capturing said needle portion of said mandrel means to maintain said mandrel means stationary while said shaft means rotates such that the filamentary material is coiled around said needle portion; said holding means including a rotatable curing wheel having a circumferential groove therearound and a roller having an outer surface positioned adjacent said circumferential groove, said needle portion of said mandrel means being positioned adjacent said outer surface of said roller and inserted in said circumferential groove to prevent rotation of said mandrel.
 2. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said circumferential groove in said curing wheel has first and second parallel sides terminating in first and second annular shoulders, and a stationary insulating band slidably engages said first and second shoulders.
 3. The invention as recited in claim 2 wherein the axis of said shaft means is in parallel relation with the axis of said curing wheel and said needle portion of said mandrel means is bent to be tangentially inserted in said circumferential groove in said curing wheel.
 4. A coiling machine comprising rotatable shaft means having a supply end and a hollow coiling end; supply means for supplying a continuous filamentary material to said supply end of said rotatable shaft means; mandrel means having a shank portion disposed within said hollow coiling end of said shaft means and a needle portion extending from said shank portion; said shaft means including guide means for supplying the filamentary material from said supply end to said mandrel means at said coiling end; holding means capturing said needle portion of said mandrel means to maintain said mandrel means stationary while said shaft means rotates such that the filamentary material is coiled around said needle portion; said guide means including tension means disposed adjacent said coiling end of said shaft means to subject the filamentary material to a predetermined tension; and said tension means including first and second wheels longitudinally disposed on said shaft means and third and fourth wheels laterally disposed on said shaft means having edges adjacent the edges of said first and second wheels, and said guide means further including a longitudinal slot in said shaft means, said longitudinal slot being aligned with the edges of said first and second wheels such that the filamentary material enters said tension means between said first and fourth wheels, loops around said third wheel and exits from said tension device between said second and fourth wheels.
 5. The invention as recited in claim 4 wherein said first, second, third and fourth wheels have top surfaces, and said tension device further includes braking means contacting said top surfaces of said first, second and third wheels.
 6. The invention as recited in claim 5 wherein said braking means includes a plurality of braking pads carried by a plate, and a cup-shaped spring adjustably applying a force to said plate to control the braking of said first, second, third and fourth wheels.
 7. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said circumferential groove has a plurality of spaced teeth therein adapted to pull the coiled filamentary material from said needle portion of said mandrel means.
 8. The invention as recited in claim 7 wherein said teeth have first and second legs extending radially along said first and second sides of said circumferential groove to define spaces between said first and second legs, and said needle portion of said means is inserted in said spaces.
 9. A coiling machine comprising rotatable shaft means having a supply end and a hollow coiling end; supply means for supplying a continuous filamentary material to said supply end of said rotatable shaft means; mandrel meAns having a shank portion disposed within said hollow coiling end of said shaft means and a needle portion extending from said shank portion; said shaft means including guide means for supplying the filamentary material from said supply end to said mandrel means at said coiling end; holding means capturing said needle portion of said mandrel means to maintain said mandrel means stationary while shaft means rotates such that the filamentary material is coiled around said needle portion; and support means disposed in said hollow coiling end of said shaft means to rotatably support said mandrel means whereby said mandrel means is movable within said shaft means when said needle portion is not captured by said holding means; said support means including a mandrel holder having a central bore therethrough receiving said shank portion of said mandrel means, a portion of said mandrel holder being cut away to expose said shank portion in said central bore, and clamping means disposed in said cut away portion of said mandrel holder for adjustably clamping said shank portion of said mandrel means to said mandrel holder.
 10. The invention as recited in claim 9 wherein said mandrel means includes a diamond interconnecting said shank portion and said needle portion, and said mandrel holder has an end with a curved surface thereon which is aligned with said diamond by adjusting said clamping means.
 11. The invention as recited in claim 10 wherein said coiling end of said shaft means has a conical head secured thereto, said head having a slot aligned with said guide means and a second central bore therethrough receiving said mandrel holder, said clamping means includes deformable pad means disposed on the exposed surface of said cut away portion of said mandrel holder and a clamping member disposed on said pad means, and said support means includes a cylindrical sleeve surrounding said clamping member and said mandrel holder and means forcing said clamping member against said pad means and away from said sleeve to deform said pad means to engage said sleeve and said shank portion of said mandrel means.
 12. The invention as recited in claim 11 wherein said pad means includes a pair of elongated polyurethane pads disposed closer to said sleeve than to said shank portion of said mandrel means whereby said pads will engage said sleeve prior to engaging said shank portion of said mandrel means.
 13. The invention as recited in claim 12 wherein said holding means includes a rotatable curing wheel having a circumferential groove therearound and a roller having an outer surface positioned adjacent said circumferential groove, said needle portion of said mandrel means being positioned adjacent said outer surface of said roller and inserted in said circumferential groove to prevent rotation of said mandrel, said guide means includes tension means having first and second wheels longitudinally disposed on said shaft means and third and fourth wheels laterally disposed on said shaft means having edges adjacent the edges of said first and second wheels, and said guide means further includes a longitudinal slot in said shaft means, said longitudinal slot being aligned with the edges of said first and second wheels such that the filamentary material enters said tension means between said first and fourth wheels, loops around said third wheel and exits from said tension means between said second and fourth wheels.
 14. The invention as recited in claim 13 wherein said circumferential groove has a plurality of peripherally spaced teeth therein, said teeth having legs extending radially along the sides of said circumferential groove to define lateral spaces therebetween, and said needle portion of said mandrel means is inserted in said spaces.
 15. Apparatus for simultaneously forming a pair of coiled filaments for use in a slide fastener comprising first rotatable shaft means receiving a first continuous filamentary material at a first supply end and having first guiDe means delivering the first filamentary material to a first hollow coiling end; a first mandrel having a first shank portion disposed in said first coiling end of said first shaft means and a first needle portion extending from said first shank portion and receiving the first filamentary material; second rotatable shaft means receiving a second continuous filamentary material at a second supply end and having second guide means delivering the second filamentary material to a second hollow coiling end; a second mandrel having a second shank portion disposed in said second coiling end of said second shaft means and a second needle portion extending from said second shank portion and receiving the second filamentary material; a rotatable curing wheel having first and second laterally spaced circumferential grooves, said first needle portion of said first mandrel being inserted in said first circumferential groove and said second needle portion of said second mandrel being inserted in said second circumferential groove; first holding means disposed adjacent said first needle portion of said first mandrel and said first circumferential groove to capture said first needle portion and maintain said first mandrel stationary such that the first filamentary material is coiled around said first needle portion as said first shaft means rotates; and second holding means disposed adjacent said second needle portion of said second mandrel and said second circumferential groove to capture said second needle portion and maintain said second mandrel stationary such that the second filamentary material is coiled around said second needle portion as said second shaft means rotates.
 16. The invention as recited in claim 15 wherein said first and second circumferential grooves have a plurality of teeth disposed therein to remove the first and second coiled filamentary materials from said first and second needle portions, said first circumferential groove has first and second side walls terminating in first and second annular shoulders, said second circumferential groove has third and fourth side walls terminating in third and fourth annular shoulders, a first stationary insulating band is slidably disposed on said first and second annular shoulders, and a second stationary insulating band is slidably disposed on said third and fourth annular shoulders.
 17. The invention as recited in claim 16 wherein said first stationary insulating band is secured to a first anchor, said second stationary insulating band is secured to a second anchor, said first holding means includes a first roller spaced adjacent said first stationary insulating band, said second holding means includes a second roller spaced adjacent said second stationary insulating band, said first and second rollers are disposed at diametrically opposite positions with respect to said curing wheel, and said first and second anchors are disposed at diametrically opposite positions with respect to said curing wheel
 18. The invention as recited in claim 17 wherein each of said first and second guide means includes a tension device having first and second wheels longitudinally disposed on said shaft means and third and fourth wheels laterally disposed on said shaft means having edges adjacent the edges of said first and second wheels, and each of said first and second guide means further includes a longitudinal slot in said first and second shaft means, respectively, said longitudinal slot being aligned with the edges of said first and second wheels such that the first and second filamentary materials enter said tension devices between said first and fourth wheels, loop around said third wheel and exit from said tension devices between said second and fourth wheels.
 19. The invention as recited in claim 18 wherein first support means is disposed in said first hollow coiling end of said first shaft means to rotatably support said first mandrel, said first support means including a first mandrel holder Having a first central bore therethrough receiving said first shank portion of said first mandrel, a first portion of said first mandrel holder being cut away to expose said first shank portion in said first central bore, first deformable pad means disposed on the exposed surface of said first cut away portion of said first mandrel holder, a first clamping member disposed on said first pad means, a first cylindrical sleeve surrounding said first clamping member and said first mandrel holder, and first means forcing said first clamping member against said first pad means and away from said first sleeve deform said first pad means to engage said first sleeve and said first shank portion of said first mandrel, and second support means is disposed in said second hollow coiling end of said second shaft means to rotatably support said second mandrel, said second support means including a second mandrel holder having a second central bore therethrough receiving said second shank portion of said second mandrel, a second portion of said second mandrel holder being cut away to expose said second shank portion in said second central bore, second deformable pad means disposed on the exposed surface of said second cut away portion of said second mandrel holder, a second clamping member disposed on said second pad means, a second cylindrical sleeve surrounding said second clamping member and said second mandrel holder, and second means forcing said second clamping member against said second pad means and away from said second sleeve to deform said second pad means to engage said second sleeve and said second shank portion of said second mandrel.
 20. The invention as recited in claim 19 wherein first yoke means is secured to said first supply end of said first shaft means and rotatable therewith, a first spool carrying the first filamentary material is rotatably supported by said first yoke means, second yoke means is secured to said second supply end of said second shaft means and rotatable therewith, and a second spool carrying the second filamentary material is rotatably supported by said second yoke means.
 21. Apparatus for forming a slide fastener comprising, in combination, first rotatable shaft means receiving first continuous filamentary material; first stationary mandrel means disposed in said first rotatable shaft means and receiving the first filamentary material, said mandrel means including a needle portion; first holding means capturing said needle portion of said first mandrel means to maintain said mandrel means stationary while said first shaft means rotates such that said first filamentary material is coiled around said needle portion to form a first coiled filament; second rotatable shaft means receiving second continuous filamentary material; second stationary mandrel means disposed in said second rotatable shaft means and receiving the second filamentary material, said mandrel mean including a needle portion; second holding means capturing said needle portion of said second mandrel means to maintain said mandrel means stationary while said second shaft means rotates such that said second filamentary material is coiled around said needle portion to form a second coiled filament; curing means receiving the first and second coiled filaments form said first and second mandrel means and heating the first and second coiled filaments to destroy the memory of the material; weaving apparatus for weaving first and second halves of a slide fastener tape with a plurality of warp threads and a filler thread; and supply means delivering said first and second coiled filaments from said curing means to said weaving apparatus and positioning said first and second coiled filaments for weaving into the first and second halves of the slide fastener tape as warp threads whereby a slide fastener is automatically formed from warp threads, filler threads and continuous filamentary material.
 22. The invention as recited in claim 21 wherein said curing means includes a curing wheel having first and second laterally spaced circumferential grooves therein, said first and second mandrel means have first and second needle portions inserted in said first and second circumferential grooves, respectively, and said supply means includes stripping means for removing said first and second coiled filaments from said first and second grooves in said curing wheel.
 23. The invention as recited in claim 22 wherein said first mandrel means is rotatably supported in said first shaft means, said second mandrel means is rotatably supported in said second shaft means, first holding means cooperates with said first groove in said curing wheel to capture said first needle portion to maintain said first mandrel means stationary, and second holding means cooperates with said second groove in said curing wheel to capture said second needle portion to maintain said second mandrel means stationary. 